Collapsible box



1943- w. A. RINGLER I 2,307,720

coLLAPsIBLE BOX Filed Aug. 25 1939 2 SheetsSheet l 2:. VH1 7 I j; -24

4 ATTORNEY Jan. 5, 1943. w. A. RINGLER COLLAPSIBLE BOX Filed Aug. 25, 1959 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY WWW @211 w ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to Collapsible boxes, and more particularly to boxes which may be formed from a single blank of paperboard material which may be shipped to the user in collapsed box con-' dition and which may be erected and locked into container-"forming position by the user as the merchandise is packed therein.

In accordance with this invention, collapsed boxes may each be formed from a single blank of paperboard material which can becut to the desired shape and scored by automatic cutting and scoring machines substantially without loss or waste of paperboard material at a high rate of production.

The prepared blank is run through an automatic strip gluing and folding machine at a high production rate, the blank being so shaped and constructed that adhesive may be so applied to tab extensions associated therewith that when the side wall panels of the box are folded to overlie the bottom wall panel, these tab extensions either become secured to one another or to the inside face of the adjacent end wall panel. This simple strip gluing and folding operation produces a collapsed box which permits a plurality of such collapsed boxes to be stacked one upon the other and placed in suitable packing cases, occupying a minimum of space during shipment and storage. The merchandise manufacturer, by a simple manipulation of the side and end wall panels, raises both the side and end wall panels .into erect container-forming position, following which the merchandise may be packed therein. Side and end wall flaps hingedly connected to the side and end wall panels are then turned inwardly so as to provide asubstantially continuous merchandise-retaining rim, locking elements formed as a part of the box blank then being manipulated to lock the packed box in rigid merchandise-containing position.

An object of this invention is to provide a strong and sturdy box which can .be manufactured and assembled on automatic machinery, shipped to the user in flat collapsed box condition occupying a minimum space during shipment and storage, which can be easily and quickly erected by the user as the merchandise is packed therein, and which may be locked in rigid contamer-forming position by quickly manipulated elements formed as a part of the box-forming blank.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved locking means formed as a part of the box-forming blank which may be easily and quickly manipulated by the user to lock and hold the box in rigid, erect container-forming position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved box which may be formed from a single blank of paperboard material, which may be assembled in collapsed container form and erected by the user as needed.

Variousother features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, theinvention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with th'e accompanying drawings ing a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a-plan view of a prepared'blank from which the collapsible box may be madej Fig. 2 is a' fragmentary perspective view of the blank shown in Fig. 1 assembled intoja bollapsed box, in which condition the box-can'be shipped and stored;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of, the": collapsed box shown in Fig. 2 in the process of erection into container-forming position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the erected box showingmeans' associated therewith for retaining the boxin erect container-forming position; 3':

Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview of the fully assembled box locked in erect container-forming position; 7.

Fig. 6 isa plan viewof a prepared blank from which a collapsible-box ofamodified construction may be'formed;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the blank shown inliig. Gassembled into a collapsed box ready-for storage or shipment;

Fig. 8 is ja 'frag'mentary perspective view of the collapsed box 'sliown in Fig. 7 in the process of erection;

Fig. 9 is, a fragmentary perspective view of the erected box showing means for securing. the

. box in erect container-forming position; and

Fig; 10, is a perspective view-of the erected box formed from :thefblank shown in Fig. 6 locked f in erect container-forming position.

Similar reference'fcharacters refer to similar parts throughout, the several views of the drawings and thespecification.

The boxrforming blank, as shown in Fig. 1,

comprises a: bottom wall panel -I having opposed form side wall panels 2 hinged to the bottom wall panel I along parallel extending fold lines 4 and opposed end wall panels 3 hinged to the bottom wall panel I along parallel extending fold lines 5. A side flap 8 is hinged to each of the side wall panels 2 along fold line and an end flap 3 is hinged to each of the end wall panels 3 along fol line 3.

The adjacent ends of the side and end wa panels are integrally connected together by a corner bellows-forming portion, each corner portion comprising a bellows section 2| hinged to the adjacent end of end wall panel 3 along fold line 4 and bellows fold section 22 hinged to-the adjacent end of side wall panel 2 along fold line 5'. Fold lines 5 are inwardly offset and slightly out of alignment with fold lines 3 a distance approximately equal to two thicknesses of the paperboard material so that the box may be erected without outward bulging oi the end wall panels. The bellows sections 2| and 22 of each corner portion are in part integrally connected together along the diagonally extending fold line 23 and are in part separated by a out line 25. Each bellows section 2| has a tab extension 23 which projects beyond the free outer edge of the adjacent side flap 3.

A tongue extension I3 is hingedly connected to each end of each end flap 3 along fold line 4'. The parallel extending fold lines 4' associated with each end flap 8 are spaced a distance apart greater than the distance between parallel extending score lines 4 by approximately two thicknesses of paperboard material. An end portion I4 is hingedly connected to each tongue extension l3 along fold line II. A slit I6 is provided for each end portion |4 through which the end portion may be inserted when the box is erected, as will presently appear. Each score line 4 is provided with two slits IS in alignment therewith and adjacent the respective score lines 5.

After the blank has been out and scored as shown in Fig. 1, it may be run through an automatic strip gluer and folding machine which applies adhesive 9 to that portion of the tab extensions 23 which projects beyond the free edge of the adjacent side flaps 3. This operation can be performed by moving the blank continuously under glue applicator rollers, brushes or shoes which deposit a strip of adhesive on the tab extensions 23. Each side wall panel 2 and bellows section 2| are folded so as to overlie the bottom wall panel I and adjacent end wall panel 3, respectively, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the adhesive 9 on the tab extensions 23 is pressed into firm adhesive engagement with the inside face of the end wall panel 3 which it overlies. It will be noted that each tongue extension l3 and its end portion I4 is separated from the bellows section II by cut line 24 so that these parts are not adhesively secured to the adjacent end wall panel 3. The box, assembled as shown in Fig. 2, may be shipped in flat collapsed form and a plurality of boxes may be arranged in stacked relationship so as to cocupy a minimum of space during shipment and After the merchandise has been placed therein, side flaps B are turned inwardly so as to overlie the merchandise and end flaps 8 are then turned inwardly so as to overlie the merchandise, as shown in Fig. 4. The side and end flaps thus form a substantially continuous merchandiseretaining rim around the top of the box. The box is locked in erect merchandise-retaining position by folding each tab extension |3 over the outside face of the adjacent side wall panel 2 and inserting the end portion I4 thereof inwardly through the adjacent slot It provided for the purpose, the end portion then lying fiat against the inside face of bottom panel I. The box is thus held in rigid assembly. If desired, the same may be closed by providing a cardboard cover blank 50 whose ends are inserted under the overlying end ilaps 3, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

A further modified form of collapsible box construction may be formed from the blank cut and scored as shown in Fig. 6. This blank comprises a bottom wall panel 3| having opposed end wall end wall panels 32 are hingedly connected together by a bellows fold corner portion comprising bellows section 31 hinged to the adjacent end of side wall panel 34 along score line 33' and bellows section 33 hinged to the adjacent end of end wall panel 32 along score line 35. The bellows sections 36 and 31 of each corner portion are in part hingedly connected by a diagonally extending score line 38 and in part separated by out line 39. Bellows section 36 is provided with a tab extension 40 which extends beyond the free edge of the adjacent side flap 4|. Fold lines 33' are inwardly offset and slightly out of alignment with the fold lines 33 a distance approximately equal to two thicknesses of paperboard material, so that the box may be erected without outward bulging of the end wall panels.

A fold-over extension 43 is hinged to each end of each side flap 4| along hinge line 33", each fold-over extension 43 being separated from tab extension 40 by a out line 39. An insert ear 44 is hingedly connected to each fold-over extension 43 along fold line 45. each insert ear 44 being separated from the adjacent bellows section 31 by out line 48. Each insert ear 44 is also separated from bellows section 35 by out line 33. The insert ears 44 provide means for retaining the box in erect container-forming position, as will presently appear. Score lines 33" are outwardly offset with respect to score lines 33 a distance approximately equal to twothicknesses of paperboard to permit the extensions 43 to be folded over the end wall panels.

The blank as shown in Fig. 6 may be assembled in collapsed box form as shown in Fig. 7, by running the blank through a strip gluing and folding machine which first operates to apply a strip of adhesive 9 on the inside face of the tab extensions 40. The folding mechanism then operates to fold each of the side wall panels 34 over the inside face of the bottom wall panel 3| and bellows section 33 over the inside face of the adjacent end wall panel 32. Tab extensions 40 to which adhesive has been applied may be pressed into adhesive contact either with the inside face of the adjacent end wall panel 32 or the tab extensions 40 may be of such length as to be arranged in overlapping relationship, as shown in Fig. 7, so that the tab extensions are adhesively secured together. The box thus formed, as shown in Fig. 7, is collapsed and substantially flat, so that a plurality of these col lapsed boxes may be stacked one upon the other and packed in suitable packing cases so asto occupy a minimum of space during shipment and storage.

When the merchandise manufacturer is ready to insert the merchandise M into the box, the end wall panels 32 are raised so as to extend substantially at right angles to the bottom wall panel 3|, which operation automatically raises the side wall panels 34 into position substantially at right angles to the bottom wall panel 3|. Side flaps 4| and end flaps 46 will then stand substantially vertically, permitting merchandise M to be packed into the box. After packing the merchandise, end flaps 46 are swung inwardly substantially at right angles to the end wall panel 32 so as to overlie the merchandise and side flaps 4| are swung inwardly substantially at right angles to side wall panels 34 so as to overlie the merchandise, as illustrated in Fig. 9. Fold-over extensions 43 hinged to the ends of side flaps 4| are then swung downwardly, as indicated in Fig. 9, so as to overlie the outside face of the adjacent end wall panel 32. The insert ear 44 hinged to each fold-over extension 43 is then tucked between the adjacent superimposed bellows sections 36 and 31, as indicated in Fi 10,

which serves to lock the box in erect containerforming position. If desired, fold-over extensions 43 may be provided with a trimmed edge 49,

serted to overlie the merchandise when the box has been assembled in the form shown in Fig. 8 so that the edges of the cover plate will underlie the intumed end flaps 46.

It is now seen that I have provided a convenient, economical and highly serviceable merchandising carton which may be formed from a substantially rectangular blank of paperboard material, which can be cut from large sheets or rolls of suitable paperboard substantially without waste and thus economically produced. The box may be assembled at the box factory in collapsed condition, as shown in Figs. 2 and '7, by running the blank through a stripv gluing and folding machine which adhesivelysecures the side and end wall panels together through the agency of the corner portions. Upon erection of the box, the box may be held ,in rigid and sturdy container-forming position by a simple manipulation of locking elements which form apart of the box blank.

The boxes herein disclosed are highly adapted for the packaging of numerous articles of merchandise, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. The box can be produced at low cost and shipped to the user as a partially assembled collapsed box, with substantial consequent savings in shipping and storage costs. The box as assembled and packed with merchandise presents an attractive package having a merchandise-retaining rim provided therefor, which provides means for securing a cover in place, which cover may comprise a simple flat blank of paperboard material which can be produced at substantially less cost than telescoping covers heretofore'used. The box rim serves to fixedly retain the merchandise in the box so as to prevent shifting or shaking of the merchandise therein. If desired, the box may be enclosed within a suitable'wrapper made from opaque or transparent material, in which case the cover blank may also be used or may be eliminated. a

It is understood that where the terms "side and end wall panels are herein used, they are intended to refer to the vertical containing walls of the box and are not intended to designate the comparative length thereof, as obviously it is immaterial whether the side wall panels or the end wall panels are of greater length, these terms having been selected to facilitate description only.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A collapsible box including, a bottom wall section, side and end wall panels hinged to said bottom wall section, inwardly foldable bellows fold portions connecting the adjacent ends of said side and end wall panels, a tab extension associated with each of said bellows fold portions for securing said bellows fold portions in intumed position, a tab portion hingedly connected to said end wall panels overlying the outside face of the adjacent side wall panel, and means including ears and ear-gripping portions associated with said tab portion and adjacent panels for securing said panels in erect container-forming position.

2. A collapsible box including, a bottom wall section, enclosing panels hinged to' said bottom wall section, bellows fold portions connecting the adjacent ends of said panels, each of said bellows fold portions comprising a section hinged to one panel and adhesively secured to the inside face thereof and a section hin edly connected to the adjacent panel overlying its companion section, an intumed flap hinged to each of said enclosing panels, a tab portion hinged to each end of certain of said flaps adapted to overlie the outside face of the adjacent panel, and cooperating means including ear and ear-gripping portions associated with each tab portion and the adjacent panel for locking said panel in erect container-forming position.

3. A collapsible box including, a bottom wall section, side and end wall panels hinged to said bottomwall section, inwardly foldable bellows fold portions connecting the adjacent ends of said side and end wall panels, a tab extension associated. with each of said bellows fold portions for securing said bellows fold portions in intumed position, a tab portion hingedly connected to said end wall panels overlying the outside face of the adjacent side wall panel, and means including ears and ear gripping portions associated with said tab portions and adjacent panels for locking said panels in erect container-forming position, said ears being hinged to said tab portions and positioned to extend through an ear gripping slit located at the hinged edge of the adjacent panel and to seat against the inside surface of the bottom wall section.

4. A collapsible box including, a bottom wall section, diametrically opposed end wall panels and diametrically opposed side wall panels hinged to said bottom wall section, inwardly foldable bellows fold portions connecting the adjacent ends of said side and end wall panels a tab extension associated with each of said bellows fold portions for securing said bellows foid'portions in intumed position, an inturned rim-forming flap hinged to each of said end wall panels, a tab portion hingedly connected to each end of said flap overlying the outside face of the adjacent side wall panel, and cooperating means including ear and ear gripping portions associated with each tab portion and the adjacent side wall panel for looking said panels in erect container-forming position.

5. A collapsible box including, a bottom wall section, end wall panels and side wall panels hinged to said bottom wall section, inwardly foldable bellows fold portions connecting the adjacent ends of said side and end wall panels, a tab extension associated with each of said bellows fold portions for securing said bellows fold portions in intumed position, an intumed rim-forming flap hinged to each'ofsaid side wall panels, an intumed rim-forming flap hinged to each of said end wall panels overlying the intumed flaps first mentioned, a tab portion hingedly connected to each end of said end wall flaps overlying the outside face of the adjacent side Wall panel, and cooperating means including car and ear gripping portions associated with each tab portion and the adjacent side wall panel for locking said panels in erect container-forming position, each of said ear portions being hinged to one of said tab portions and positioned to extend through an ear gripping slit located at the hinged edge of the an inturned rim-forming flap hinged to each of said end wall panels, a tab portion hingedly connected to each end of said end wall flaps overlying the outside face of the adjacent side wall panel, and cooperating means including ear and ear-gripping portions associated with each tab portion and the adjacent side wall panel for locking said panels in erect container-forming position.

'7. A collapsible box including. a bottom wall section, end wall panels and side wall panels hinged to said bottom wall section, inturned bel lows fold portions hingedly connecting the adjacent ends of said side and end wall panels, an intumed rim-forming flap hinged to each of said end wall panels, a tab portion hingedly connected to each end of said intumed flaps, and means for locking said panels in erect container-forming position, said locking means including an ear extension hinged to each of said tab portions adapted to be inserted into the adjacent folded bellows fold portion so as to extend substantially parallel to the adjacent side wall panel.

8. A collapsible box including, a bottom wall section, end wall panels and side wall panels hinged to said bottom wall section, intumed bellows fold portions hingedly connecting the adjacent ends of said side and end wall panels and overlying the inside face of said side wall panels, an intumed rim-forming flap hinged to each of said end wall panels, a tab portion hingedly connected to each end of said intumed flaps, and means for locking said panels in erect containerforming position, said locking means including an ear extension hinged to each of said tab portions adapted to be inserted into the adjacent folded bellows fold portion so as to extend substantially parallel to the adjacent side wall panel.

9. A collapsible box including, a bottom wall section, enclosing panels hinged to said bottom wall section, bellows fold portions connecting the adjacent ends of said panels, each of said bellows fold portions comprising a section hinged to the one panel and adhesively secured to the inside face thereof and a section hingedly connected to the adjacent panel overlying its companion section, an inturned flap hinged to each of said enclosing panels, a tab portion hinged to each end of certain of said flaps adapted to overlie the outside face of the adjacent panel, and cooperating means including ear and ear gripping portions associated with each tab portion and the adjacent panel for locking said panels in erect container-forming position, each of said ear portions being hinged to one of said tab portions and positioned to extend through an ear gripping slit located at the hinged edge of the adjacent panel andto seat against the inside surface of the bottom wall section.

10. A collapsible box including, a bottom wall section, a plurality of enclosing panels hinged to said bottom wall section, bellows fold portions connecting the adjacent ends of aid panels, each of said bellows fold portions comprising a section having a tab extension adhesively secured to a corresponding tab extension associated with the opposite bellows fold portion, and a section hinged to the adjacent panel overlying the section first mentioned, an intumed flap hinged to each of said enclosing panels, certain of said flaps having a tab portion extending from each end thereof overlying the outside face of the adjacent panel, and cooperating means including ear and ear gripping portions associated with each tab portion and the panel which it overlies for locking said panels in erect container-forming position.

WILLIAM A. RINGLER. 

